Sylvia Diane Longfield

Sylvia Diane Longfield directed her last choir at home in Kalkaska surrounded by her family. She was born December 17, 1931 in Detroit, the daughter of the late Henry and Sybel (Dewey) LaClare. She attended Redford High school in Detroit graduating in 1950. On April 12, 1952 Sylvia LaClare married Donald Arthur Longfield who worked as a Tool Maker for Fisher Body. Later, Sylvia worked as an IBM Key Punch operator for the Sunbeam Corporation in Berwyn, Illinois, University Hospital and Park Davis in Ann Arbor, Michigan, when Donald received his DDS from U of M. In Kalkaska, Sylvia concentrated on being a home maker but still worked part time in the dental office as a clerk. She has hosted an annual Ladies Christmas Luncheon including preparation of all the food for thirty women since 1970. Since 1995 Sylvia has chaired CD sales, house seating and usher services for the Annual June Night of Harmony performances of the Traverse City Cherry Capital Chorus at Interlochen. She was executive secretary for Blossoming Rose from 1985-2003. She shared the Kalkaska Citizen of the year 1977 with husband Donald. She was director of two children's choirs at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor and directed Adult Choir at People's Church in Kalkaska. She sang and recorded with the Northern Aires Trio and The Long and The Short of It quartette, as well as formed and directed the Trebelles -the Kalkaska centennial chorus in 1971. Sylvia was a private pilot and accompanied and assisted Donald in all work out of the country, as well as flying friends around the State and flying lady friends from Treasure Island of the Abaco's in the Bahamas to Freeport to shop at the International Bazaar. Sylvia is survived by her husband of sixty three years, Donald. Three Children: Laura Louise (Ronald) Reinhold of Williamsburg, Bruce Douglas Longfield of Kalkaska and Katsue Egawa (Ken) Hokura of Tokyo, Japan; Grandchildren: Jabin (Laura Elizabeth), Dacia (David Murray), Chie (Daisuke Yamada), Hannah, Jenica, Jael and Grace; Great Grandchildren: Caleb, Momoe, Isaac, and Levi and many nephews of the Laclare, Karr and Longfield family. She was also preceded in death by: Sister Gwenlaurie Karr, Brother Henry Harrison LaClare. Cremation has taken place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Manistee with final internment in the Lodi Cemetery in Orange Township - Kalkaska, Michigan. Those wishing to remember Sylvia may make a donation to the Cornerstone Community Bible Church. Envelopes will be available at the service. Memorial services for Sylvia Longfield will be held July 11, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Kalkaska Funeral Home 152 S. Cedar St. with Pastor Richard VanBeek officiating. Visitation will take place at 12:00-2:00 pm with luncheon following at the same address.

Sylvia Diane Longfield

December 17, 1931 - June 25, 2015